As a child, had you ever done something wrong and were unable to look your parents in the eye?Â
A few years ago, I was visiting my brother and his family.
We were all enjoying the afternoon sunshine on his back deck as the children played in the backyard. At one point, I overheard my brother tell my 5-year-old niece not to swing from the branches of a very small tree.Â
Minutes later, crash!Â
We all heard a loud crack as she and the branch came tumbling down.Â
I watched as my niece timidly walked to her dad, hanging her head as she pointed to the broken branch.Â
My brother bent down, spoke something to her, and then they hugged. In no time, she was again laughing and playing. I was just given an opportunity to witness a father’s love and forgiveness as in the Bible.
”As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him…” Psalm 103:13
Overcoming Shame Through Faith In Jesus Christ
Understanding God’s Compassion For Sinners. As God’s child, I can easily picture hanging my head low when I know I’ve broken one of God’s commands. But that day, I saw the situation from a different angle.Â
My niece disobeyed, was powerless to remedy her situation, and was too ashamed to look her father in the eye. But my brother reached down to meet her where she was. Stretching out his hand, he lifted her eyes to meet his so she could see his desire to forgive and restore their relationship.
Dealing With Shame And Forgiveness In Christianity
It is the same for each one of us. Covered in sin and shame, you and I are powerless to reach a holy God. Our heavenly Father must reach down to us. So God sent His Son Jesus Christ, who stretched out his hands on the cross, beckoning us to lift our eyes and remember that God passionately desires to forgive and restore us.Â
“…at just the right time, when we were still powerless… God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us…” Romans 5:6,8Â
Heavenly Father, when we sin, lift our eyes to the cross so that we can remember Your forgiveness and embrace the power to live as Your beloved children. Amen.Â
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ” 1 John 1:9
Shadia is a passionate Bible teacher, author, and speaker who has a heart for seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. She holds a master’s in biblical and theological studies from Western Seminary and is the author of several books and Bible studies, including HAGAR, TAMAR, LEGION, Worthy of Love and her newest study, RAHAB: Rediscovering the God Who Saves Me!Â
Such a perfect example of the Father’s Love and forgiveness towards us. And what a personal gift to see it enacted by your earthly brother.
Thank you for sharing.
Hi Linda. I’m delighted you enjoyed the story! I love how God teaches us through everyday circumstances. Hugs!!
God;s love and compassion is so veery awesome, When we became parents, we discovered a deeper understanding of God and His love toward us. It was a spiritual learning experience for both of us. I am so grateful for a Heavenly Father who forgives our “mistakes” and wrong choices and then reassures us of His constant love.
Yes, praise the Lord for His compassion and goodness and forgiveness. It’s powerful to hear how He spoke to you through your personal life experiences. I rejoice with you, Sharon!
God’s outstretched arms remain ready to forgive and forget, in the least of all circumstances. Praise be to our God!
Amen and amen, Carol!